Unleash Your Potential: Interview tips beyond the obvious

Monday

Sep 2, 2013 at 2:00 AM

Job-seekers read a multitude of articles touting the top five, 10 or 25 tips to nail an interview. These tips typically encompass a variety of pointers from performing your corporate research to properly grooming yourself for that pivotal moment when you finally meet a real human being.

Lenny Keitel

Job-seekers read a multitude of articles touting the top five, 10 or 25 tips to nail an interview. These tips typically encompass a variety of pointers from performing your corporate research to properly grooming yourself for that pivotal moment when you finally meet a real human being.

There are a few less widely known yet vital pre-interview tactics that rarely appear in any top 25 list. If you believe you've covered all the bases, make certain to also consider the following pre-interview pointers:

Generally, people feel better and more alert when they eat less. Therefore, avoid heavy foods and sweets before an interview. You may find that you feel better about yourself, have a clearer head and enjoy that spark of confidence that catapults you over the top.

Need I say more? You need a clear head, and it just makes sense to abstain from any alcoholic beverages before an interview. You can celebrate after you receive an offer letter.

Want a quick smoke prior to entering the building? Another bad idea. With the high cost of health insurance, many companies promote a healthy lifestyle to enhance productivity and deter absenteeism. The stench of smoke is easily detected. In today's corporate culture, smoking is frowned upon.

Remember that interviewing is a game — a game you play to win by giving it 100 percent of your focus. Viewing emails or listening to disturbing economic reports prior to an interview only serves as a distraction that will take you off your game. You are on the verge of presenting yourself for an opportunity that may alter your life. Now is not the time to be distracted by global upheaval and discouraging corporate earnings.

The receptionist may be your first point of contact upon entering a corporate office. If you don't think that managers listen to the opinions of their executive assistants, think again! Receptionists and executive assistants are typically tight with their boss. A slight to them is comparable to a slight to their manager. Don't get screened out of your golden opportunity by being abrupt to anyone manning the front desk.

Upon entering the corporate doors, understand that the interview process has commenced. Be aware that you're already being observed by employees getting their morning coffee or others waiting to meet a client (who may be sitting right next to you). Always assume that curious people are watching you and the image you convey is being monitored. Needless to say, always turn your cellphone off.

When waiting in a reception area, exploit this time as an opportunity to observe the activity around you. Gain a sense of the culture and the way people interact. Do you perceive a dynamic, enthusiastic and energetic environment or a company operating in a dysfunctional mode? Are you comfortable with what you see?

-- Lenny Keitel runs Hudson Valley Resumes (www.hudsonvalleyresumes.com), a resume writing service in Monroe. He can be reached at info@hudsonvalleyresumes.com, 845-782-6714 or 914-391-5300.

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